Due to the lapse in federal government funding, NASA is not updating this website. We sincerely regret this inconvenience.
NASA Logo
Ocean Color Image Gallery

Ocean Color Image Gallery

  1. Gallery Home
  2. Image Archive Page

Benguela Current

Benguela Current

The Benguela current is home to the Benguela upwelling system, characterized by a resurgence of nutrient-rich, cold water off the southwestern coast of Africa. This environment supports plankton blooms, as they thrive on the abundant nutrients. Multiple types of plankton flourish in this ecosystem, supporting a wide range of fisheries. The MOANA algorithm, with data already available on the Ocean Color Level 3 and 4 Browser, utilizes PACE-OCI data to identify three types of very small plankton: picoeukaryotes, Synechococcus, and Prochlorococcus, enabling the creation of unique maps pinpointing the locations of these plankton from space.

This image was taken by the OCI sensor aboard PACE on May 16, 2025.